MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman is seeking a precautionary Hold Departure Order (PHDO) against Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, former lawmaker Michael Defensor and two others.
Its Verified Ex Parte Application For the Issuance of a Precautionary Hold Departure Order was filed on Monday before the Sandiganbayan.
Ombudsman field investigators filed a complaint against Marcoleta, Defensor, Aristotle Viray, and Joseph Espiritu last May 18, alleging that "Marcoleta's acceptance of gifts with an aggregate amount of P75 Million on three separate occasions constitute the crime of plunder."
"Aside from the lack of a clear purpose or pending transaction for which the amounts received may be a consideration, there is no showing that the gifts would still be given were it not for Respondent's position on government. Hence it cannot be denied that the P75 Million was given by Respondents Defensor, Espiritu, and Viray by reason of Respondent Marcoleta's office," the investigators said.
Defensor sountered that “there was no illegal act, no corrupt transaction, no favor sought, and absolutely no conspiracy to commit any crime.”
Marcoleta said in a post on Facebook that the complaint was "without evidence of public injury, official favor, corrupt consideration, or abuse of office".
